How to Volunteer for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and What You Need to Know
What you need to know for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
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NOTE: NBC 5 will offer complete live coverage of the 2017 race beginning at 7 a.m. CT online and on TV on Oct. 7. The race can be streamed live from around world on the NBC Chicago app, which will also offer a live stream of the finish line from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
They're the unsung heroes that make race day everything it needs to be -- the volunteers of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Whether it be at the expo or along the course or at the finish line, volunteers are with the runners every step of the way to make sure things go as they should.
If you're thinking about volunteering or if you already are, here's everything you need to know:
Volunteer Registration
All volunteers must register online individually by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 1, or they will not be allowed to volunteer for the event.
Start corrals, information team, course marshal and Biofreeze 27th Mile Post-Race Party beer opportunities are open to individuals on race day.
Volunteer groups
Join the fleet of over 200 volunteer groups that make up the Bank of America Chicago Marathon volunteer team. Group leaders recruit volunteers, share assignment information, relay registration instructions and keep their group on task and organized on the day of the event. Visit the group leader application to learn more about group registration and to apply.
Key volunteers
Key volunteers help fulfill critical leadership and management roles on race weekend. Becoming a key volunteer is a great opportunity for people looking to translate their experience, enthusiasm and passion into a higher level commitment to the event. Visit the key volunteer application to learn more about key volunteer roles and to apply.
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Famed comedian Kevin Hart announced on Facebook that he will be running the big Windy City event in 2018, in hopes of beating his time from last year's New York City Marathon. "The goal is to do my best time and after doing my best time [in Chicago], the new goal in whole will be to do five marathons in total," he said. "The road to becoming a better me starts today."
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Supermodel and activist Christy Turlington achieved a personal-best three hours, 47 minutes and 53 seconds at the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, 17 minutes faster than her time at the 2014 race. Turlington represented an organization she created called Every Mother Counts, a group working to improve the safety of childbirth for mothers and newborns.
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Actor and comedian Rob Riggle overcame an injury to complete the Chicago Marathon in 2016. Before appearing in films like "Step Brothers" and "The Hangover," Riggle served in the United States Marine Corps as a reserve officer, inspiring him to run for Project Salute in support of military veterans.
Christina Van Zelst
Graham Elliot, a renowned chef, TV cooking judge and owner and chef of Graham Elliot Bistro, ran the Chicago Marathon in 2014 following a sleeve gastrectomy surgery and 150-pound weight loss. In addition to maintaining his healthy new lifestyle, Elliot used his race to support Smile Train, a charity dedicated to raising money for children like Elliot's young son with cleft lip and palate.
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Tammy Duckworth interrupted her Senate campaign to compete in the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Duckworth, who lost both her legs in a crash during her time as an army helicopter pilot in Iraq, has completed four Chicago Marathons using a hand cycle.
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The 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon marked former "Apprentice" winner Bill Rancic's third time participating in the race. Rancic first got into marathon running in 1999 when he ran the Chicago Marathon in order to win a bet with a former roommate.
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Seven seasons of wear and tear didn't stop former Chicago Bears cornerback Jerry Azumah from finishing the Chicago Marathon in 2014. Azumah dedicated his race to two organizations: PAWS Chicago Animal Shelter and the Azumah Student Assistance Program.
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Dave Beran, former executive chef at Next Chicago, crossed the Chicago Marathon finish line for the fifth time in 2014. Rather than going home to rest, Beran completed a full dinner service at his restaurants after each marathon appearance.
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In 2004, former San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig added a Chicago Marathon finisher medal to his collection of accolades, next to his three Super Bowl rings. Craig further pursued his passion for running by co-founding the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon, which will hold its 12th annual event the same day as this year's Chicago Marathon.
Michael Clancy
Of his six marathons, "ER" actor Anthony Edwards completed three races on the Chicago course (1999, 2001, 2003). During the 1999 Chicago Marathon, Edwards chose to run under an alias due to the popularity of "ER" at the time.
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Danni Allen, Season 14 winner of "The Biggest Loser," finished the Chicago Marathon shortly after her 121-pound weight loss on the popular NBC show. Originally from Wheeling, Allen now has a yoga studio in Evanston called One2One yoga, a business she co-founded to promote healthy habits in her community.
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Model and actor Colin Egglesfield teamed up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training for his 2012 Chicago Marathon effort. A five-time marathon runner, Egglesfield was inspired to represent Team in Training at the Chicago event when a family member was diagnosed with lymphoma earlier in the year.
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After singing "The Star-Spangled Banner," country music singer Jo Dee Messina joined almost 36,000 runners to take on the 2007 Chicago Marathon. Messina was one of nearly 25,000 racers allowed to finish the race, as extreme heat and humidity forced race officials to close the course early.
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Actor Sean Astin's role in "The Lord of the Rings" kept him from running for two years, a stint he finally broke at the 2013 Chicago Marathon. Astin created a unique race day Twitter dedication under the hashtag "Run3rd" as a tribute to his family and followers for whom he ran the race.
Volunteer Age Minimum
All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older on the day they are volunteering. A parent/guardian must agree to the volunteer waiver for volunteers between the ages of 16 and 18 years of age. Children and young adults under the age of 16 are not permitted to accompany registered volunteers who meet the age requirement when they are volunteering at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo or on race day.
What Volunteers Should Wear
You are expected to dress in clothing appropriate for the work duties you have been assigned to perform. When required, you must have visible appropriate and current event issued credentials and/or ID vests and wristbands to be on the premises. Dress appropriately for the weather. Wear closed toe shoes at all times and the current event attire logo hat, shirt or jacket, if provided. All volunteers receive their uniform at volunteer check-in. Abbott Health & Fitness Expo volunteers receive a Nike long sleeve t-shirt and credential. Race day volunteers receive a Nike track jacket, hat and credential. The volunteer uniform should be worn as the outer layer and the volunteer credential should be visible at all times.
What Not to Do
Never block the path of race participants, throw items, yell or argue with participants, spectators, event staff or other volunteers. Any inappropriate conduct relating to race, ethnicity, gender, religion or physical disability is not tolerated.
What You Should and Should Not Bring
Volunteers are strongly discouraged from bringing personal belongings to the event. Gear check will be required for belongings that cannot be carried in a volunteer’s pockets, including personal bags, purses, backpacks or similar items. Bring a valid photo ID. Volunteers will be required to provide photo identification at Volunteer Check-In in order to volunteer. School IDs are accepted.
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Is Food Provided?
Snacks and meals are provided depending upon the time of day and duration of the volunteer shift. It is not guaranteed that meals will accommodate all dietary restrictions.
Transportation and Parking
Volunteers are encouraged to use public transportation when possible.
